One More Year of Choices
By Barbara Dahlgren
One of my favorite stories is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Standing the test of time, this tale has been a consistent part of the literary, theatrical, and social scene since it was first published shortly before Christmas in 1843. 6,000 copies were sold in its first week of printing and within the year it inspired nine London stage productions.
Every year since, countless A Christmas Carol film, theater, opera, radio, and television productions have followed. Variations of the plot have been done, redone, improvised, used, abused, and overdone. Even animated celebrities like Mickey Mouse, the Muppets, Bugs Bunny, Mr. Magoo, and Barbie have starred in their own versions. It’s really quite phenomenal. And guess what? I love them all!
A Christmas Carol deals with two of Dickens’ favorite themes: social injustice and poverty. Ebenezer Scrooge represents those who thought their wealth and status gave them the right to sit in judgment of the poor, rather than help them dig their way out of poverty. Bob Cratchit, his loyal employee, represents the poor working man just trying to eke out a meager living for his family. One of the peripheral but pivotal characters is Cratchit’s young, disabled son, Tiny Tim. In spite of Tiny Tim’s dire circumstances, he remains cheerful.
This story has become so much a part of history that the word “scrooge” has crept into the English language. It means a person unwilling to give to others. He’s mean, miserly, selfish, and stingy. He hates people. A scrooge mirrors characteristics of Ebenezer Scrooge. “Bah humbug!” he says to anyone who would wish him a merry Christmas. Scrooge has no good will for fellow humans.
However, what really makes Dickens’ book so good is that Ebenezer Scrooge changes his outlook. After he encounters three ghosts/spirits (Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future) who help him see how he really is, he has an epiphany. He doesn’t want to be remembered as a penny-pinching grouch. He’s an old man, but decides that for the rest of his life he will change his selfish ways. He becomes a good man, a true friend, and compassionate employer. He gives money to charity workers, buys gifts for everyone, spends time with his estranged family, helps the Cratchits, becomes a second father to Tiny Tim, and “it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.”
All can relate to underlying themes throughout A Christmas Carol. Timeless themes like do unto others as you would have them do unto you, what goes around comes around, family is important, money does not bring happiness, love lasts all year long, redemption, forgiveness, and being thankful are just a few that still resonate. All worthy concepts to think about not just at Christmastime, but all year long.
True, it does not emphasize the birth of Jesus, but it does have certain nuances that make us think. When Tiny Tim and his father go to church on Christmas Day, Tim makes a brief reference to Christ by saying we should remember the One who made lame beggars walk and blind men see. And as far as I’m concerned, you can’t get a better ending than Tiny Tim saying, “God bless us, every one!”
Consider this… We are never too old to change. How do we want to be remembered? As Christians we should want people to see a reflection of Christ in us. That may require us to make a few changes. Christ came to earth to give us an example to follow. It definitely wasn’t one of a penny-pinching grouch. It was one of being generous and caring towards others. That’s something to think about not just at Christmastime but every day of our lives.
Suggestions for practicing this choice…
Go see a live performance of A Christmas Carol or watch one of the film versions. Look for themes mentioned in this blog.
Ask God to help you be a more generous, loving, and caring person.
Look for a way to bless the life of another person. A simple act of kindness can mean a lot. Even a smile can lift another’s spirit.
As Christmas carols are being played, actually reflect on the meaning of the songs as you hum along.
When tempted to be in a negative mood say, “God bless us everyone!” It will do wonders for your daily outlook.
